EAH Housing provides sustainable upgrades to Kings Valley

CLOVERDALE, Calif. – On Wednesday, May 28, residents of Kings Valley Senior Apartments celebrated the renovation of the 99-unit affordable housing community. A dinner and dance marked the end of construction rehabilitation.

Built in 1973, Kings Valley addresses the needs of older adults living on a fixed income. To ensure the property’s longevity and long-term affordability, EAH Housing acquired and rehabilitated the 41-year old property as part of the EAH Housing Stewardship Program.

“Kings Valley addresses an important need for the City of Cloverdale by providing housing opportunities to low-income seniors,” said Cloverdale Mayor Carol Russell. “EAH Housing has a true sense of commitment to quality affordable housing and understands what it takes to nurture a thriving community.”

The revitalized property received water- and energy-efficient upgrades as well as solar photovoltaic panels that offset more than 50 percent of the property’s common area energy usage. Other upgrades included new energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, new countertops, and based on specific unit need, cabinet and appliance replacements. Exterior siding on the community building, apartment balcony decks and railings have also been replaced.

"The renovation of Kings Valley presented the opportunity for making the buildings more energy efficient, attractive and comfortable for the residents,” said Paul Okamoto, Partner of Okamoto Saijo Architecture. “These types of renovations are some of the most sustainable building practices possible."

All units have been painted and fitted with double-pane, low-E windows and sliding glass doors. All bathrooms have been upgraded with low-flow toilets, new sinks, low-flow faucets, new bathroom fans with humidistats and energy-efficient lighting.

“It’s a privilege to know we are preserving apartments with quality construction and making a difference,” said Tom Dawson, CEO of Precision General Commercial Contractors, Inc.

EAH Housing also remodeled five units to provide full accessibility and added accessible paths of travel to parking, the community building and common areas, and new access to community area patios. As part of the rehabilitation work, seismic upgrades were made to improve resistance to earthquakes.

“Citi Community Capital supports the preservation of Kings Valley, a crucial asset that’s vital to the Cloverdale community and an important resource for older adults,” said Merle D. Malakoff, Director of Citi Community Capital. “We’re committed to investing in the communities we serve and working with respected nonprofits like EAH Housing.”

This $8.5 million rehab effort is supported by a tax-exempt bonds loan from Citi Community Capital, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, with equity provided by Enterprise Community Investment, Sonoma County HOME funds and Affordable Housing Program Funds awarded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

“Access to quality housing can be a significant challenge, especially in smaller communities. Kings Valley will provide Cloverdale seniors a stable place to call home,” said Rich Gross, vice president and Northern California market leader at Enterprise Community Partners, ECI’s parent company. “Enterprise is proud to partner with EAH Housing in this development and looks forward to future collaborations.”

Like other EAH Housing communities, resource coordination services at Kings Valley are based on the needs of the residents. Some services include food assistance programs, health and wellness programs and community-building groups.

“A growing senior population makes preserving existing affordable housing more important than ever,” said EAH Housing Vice President of Real Estate Management Dianna Ingle. “With Kings Valley, we are providing a steady, dependable source of housing in a fantastic community.”